Taronga Zoo Tours

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Easily the wildest place in Sydney, the Taronga Zoo is a sprawling sanctuary where over 4,000 animals crawl and chirp just minutes from the heart of downtown. Situated on Sydney Harbour a short ferry ride from Circular Quay, the sprawling sanctuary ranks as a top Sydney destination, with a range of tours, keeper talks, animal shows, and activities suitable for kids and adults. Visitors can see the fuzzy face of a native koala as it first wakes up from a nap, or stand a few feet from playful lemurs as they swing and play in the treetops. There are also opportunities to spot exotic species such as Malaysian sun bears, giraffes, and African lions, or marvel at a fearsome saltwater crocodile as it cruises through shallow waters.

The Basics:

The Taronga Zoo’s animals reside in 10 themed zones, each designed to resemble a natural habitat. Ticket options range from general entry tickets to admission with add-ons and upgrades such as supervised hand-feedings, behind-the-scenes experiences, and educational visits with Aboriginal guides to hear about the area’s indigenous connections to nature. There's even the chance to sleep at the zoo inside a classic safari tent, where visitors fall asleep to the sounds of the savanna but wake to views of the harbor. All tickets include a ride on the Sky Safari cable car, which glides above the zoo and provides an aerial view of the animals and Sydney Harbour. Those looking for convenience can book a tour that includes a Taronga Zoo visit, a Sydney Harbour cruise, and roundtrip transport from their hotel.

Things to Know Before You Go

Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking through the extensive grounds.

The zoo is large and exhibits are spread out, so you might like to jump on the miniature train to get around.

All shows and presentations, food outlets, and shops are wheelchair accessible, as well as most exhibits and pathways, although some connecting paths are steep.

Multi-attraction tickets offer admission discounts to top destinations such as the Taronga Zoo, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Tower Eye.

How to Get There

Taronga Zoo is on Little Sirius Cove, a couple of inlets east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The zoo is an easy and scenic 12-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay, from where ferries depart every 30 minutes. Ferries also depart daily from Darling Harbour and Manly. Upon arrival at the Taronga Wharf, either ride the Sky Safari cable car to the zoo entrance on top of the hill or take the zoo's shuttle bus from the ferry dock to the entrance gates. Public buses and trains also connect to the zoo, and paid parking is available.

When to Get There

The zoo is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Keeper talks take place throughout the day and are included with admission. Special events occur throughout the year, such as a summer evening concert series and a colorful light art exhibit during the city’s annual Vivid Sydney festival around May and June.

Views from the Zoo

Taronga is an aboriginal phrase that means “beautiful view.” Indeed, the zoo boasts sweeping views of Sydney Harbor and landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Snap a photo of giraffes with Sydney’s skyscrapers in the background, or soak in the scenery while relaxing at one of the picnic areas overlooking the harbor. For another perspective, test your limits on the ropes course (additional cost).

Located on shoreline of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Taronga Zoo is home to thousands of fascinating animals, including Australian natives such as the koala, kangaroo and platypus. With your admission ticket, you gain entrance to the zoo along with the Sky Safari cable car, which gives you the chance to look down into the animal enclosures and enjoy sweeping views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline. Check the schedule for daily keeper presentations, or book an animal encounter or guided tour (own expense) for a more in-depth experience.

Located on shoreline of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Taronga Zoo is home to thousands of fascinating animals, including Australian natives such as the koala, kangaroo and platypus. With your admission ticket, you gain entrance to the zoo along with the Sky Safari cable car, which gives you the chance to look down into the animal enclosures and enjoy sweeping views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city skyline. Check the schedule for daily keeper presentations, or book an animal encounter or guided tour (own expense) for a more in-depth experience.

Enjoy an insider’s view of Taronga Zoo, a top attraction located on scenic Sydney Harbour. A zoo keeper gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the animals and other amazing experiences that you won't get with regular admission. This small-group tour has a limit of eight participants, ensuring that you receive a personalized 2-hour experience with ample time to mingle with the kangaroos, take photos with koalas and wombats, and have close encounters with a variety of other Australian wildlife.

Enjoy an in-depth experience of Sydney Taronga Zoo on a 1.5-hour tour with a zoo guide who introduces you to Australian native animals including koalas and kangaroos. Go behind the scenes with the zoo guide to meet the zoo’s hand-raised native animals and have your photo taken with some furry friends. You'll learn more than you could on your own and gain access to areas that are normally off limits to the public. This small-group tour is limited to six people and includes all day entry to Taronga Zoo including Sky Safari.

Take in panoramic views of top Sydney landmarks as you cruise through Sydney Harbour en route to Taronga Zoo. Your package includes round-trip cruise from Darling Harbour or Circular Quay to the zoo, and a ride on the Sky Safari Gondola, which whisks you uphill from the boat dock to the main entrance of Taronga Zoo. From the gondola, get an early peek at some of the zoo's inhabitants, such as giraffes, big apes, and native animals like kangaroos and koalas.

Visit some of the top 35 attractions in Sydney with the convenience of the Sydney Attractions Pass, the perfect travel companion for exploring Sydney and its surroundings. Whether you plan to check out the Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, or you wish to go out to Manly and the Blue Mountains, the Attractions Pass is a cost-effective choice. Save up to 40% off regular admission prices, and have a choice of six different pass options.

Enjoy an evening of fine dining and spectacular views on a dinner cruise that takes place on the waters of Sydney Harbour. Indulge your tastebuds with a meal that includes six superb courses accompanied by Penfolds gold selection of bin and vintage wines and a full open bar. Listen to live music from the lounge singer and pianist while soaking in iconic sights of Sydney such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It’s a great way to celebrate a special occasion while in Sydney.

Visit Sydney's top attractions and enjoy savings of up to 45% with the Sydney Explorer Pass. Have your choice of three, four, five, or seven popular attractions, and tours to take in anytime within a 30-day period. Options include a tour of the Sydney Opera House, a hop-on hop-off Blue Mountains Explorer Bus tour, and admission to the Australian National Maritime Museum Simply download your pass on your mobile device and enjoy direct entry to the attraction — no voucher redemption required.

Explore Sydney aboard a hop-on hop-off Sydney Harbour cruise that stops at top destinations including Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, Watsons Bay, Manly and Luna Park. Get a great vantage point for photo ops of icons such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Simply jump on and off at as many stops as you like; when you're ready to move on to your next destination, just catch the next boat. Upgrade to include an entrance ticket to Taronga Zoo, another fantastic attraction located on the harbor shores.

Experience Sydney from a unique viewpoint: the seat of a helicopter. Soar over sights like the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Olympic Park, the Parramatta River, and the beautiful coastline. Your pilot with narrate throughout the ride, and answer your questions. An ideal trip for travelers who want to fit a lot of sightseeing into a short time, for those seeking a memorable activity, or for a romantic occasion.

The Australia Multi-City Attractions Pass allows you to visit top attractions throughout Australia at a great savings. Choose from five, seven or ten tickets to be loaded onto a smartcard, which you then use for easy entry to the best attractions in Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and destinations throughout Tasmania. You have an entire three months to use your tickets from the date of card activation. Use your tickets all in one city, or spread them over as many cities as you like, and save up to 40% on regular admission prices.

Go sightseeing over Sydney Harbour during a 20-minute private helicopter flight, then celebrate your time in Sydney with a delicious waterside lunch at Wolfies Grill. Your scenic helicopter flight provides fantastic views of iconic Sydney monuments including the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, in addition to a bird’s-eye view of the coast and city skyline. Top off this deluxe Sydney experience with lunch at a premier restaurant. Soak in views of Sydney Harbour while savoring your meal.

Blast off from Circular Quay on a jet boat ride that provides a super-fun 30-minute adrenaline-fueled ride along with a new perspective on Sydney's most iconic waterside sights. Your expert captain slows down to give you a close up look at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and other landmarks, then before zooming off again. Hang on as your jet boat executes 270-degree spins, power slides and other breathtaking maneuvers at high speed. Tours depart throughout the day, every hour.

Combine Sydney sightseeing with a white-knuckle speedboat ride on this 1-hour high-speed cruise to Bondi Beach. Feel a surge of adrenaline as you zoom along the coast and reach speeds of up to 100kmph, traveling on-board Sydney's fastest commercial vessel. Set out from Circular Quay; pass landmarks like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Lady Macquaries Chair; then zip around Shark Island and along the famous sands of Bondi Beach.

Experience the urban coastline of Sydney from the decks of a sailboat during this 3-hour sailing excursion. Get views of iconic city sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, then stop for a swim in Athol Bay. Take the wheel and learn some sailing basics under the watchful gaze of your captain. Outside food and drinks welcome on board during your journey.

See Sydney in style on a lunch cruise that takes you sailing through spectacular Sydney Harbour aboard a traditional square-rigged tall ship built from the 1920s. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch as your captain sails past iconic Sydney landmarks such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo and Fort Denison. Have the option to include unlimited beer and wine with your lunch. You can even lend the crew a hand with the sails, or upgrade to add the mast climb, which tops off your experience with amazing views from the crow's nest.

Live the high-life as you cruise around Sydney Harbour on your very own luxury yacht or catamaran. Set sail for a private cruise, enjoying iconic views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, gliding past the waterfront celebrity mansions and spotting sights such as Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park. Best of all, with your private charter and personal skipper, you can tailor your itinerary to your preferences. Opt to dine on board (own expense), cool off with a swim, or simply enjoy sunbathing on deck.

Get to know Sydney's highlights on this comprehensive tour with a guide over the course of a half day. Visit important sites such as Balmoral Beach, Icebergs Restaurant South Bondi, Mrs. Macquarie Chair, and Observatory Hill while listening to insightful commentary from your guide. Opt to be dropped at Taronga Zoo to spend the afternoon there (own expense) or driven back to central Sydney.